The study was conducted on twelve normally calved, suckled, lactating Murrah buffaloes, aged 57.9±3.2 months from 1st to 3rd parity. The animals varied from 12 to 30 days postpartum at the start of experiment and suckling was restricted to twice daily (before milking). The objective of the study was to monitor ovarian follicular changes during early postpartum in Murrah buffaloes using a real time Bmode ultrasonography. Only 3 out of 12 animals showed cyclicity during observation period. Large follicles (8 to 10 mm) were detected for the 1st time at 24.4±1.99 days, whereas 10 mm follicles were first noticed at 26.0±1.41 days. The duration of growth of dominant follicle (9.3±0.48 days) was higher than duration of its regression (7.1±0.40 days), thereby indicating that the rate of regression is faster (0.73±0.03 mm/d) as compared to rate of growth (0.64±0.02 mm/d). The duration of growth of corpus luteum formed after 1st ovulation was very short (8.67±1.44 days). The largest diameter attained by first postpartum ovulatory follicle was 13.0±1.10 mm and the calving to first postpartum ovulation interval was 52.67±8.02 days in the present study. It is concluded that very few (25%) buffaloes experience ovulations in early postpartum period (within 2 months postpartum). Low number of buffaloes displayed spontaneous resumption of postpartum cyclicity although ovaries of all the animals exhibited follicular activity.

Heat stress is major concern for maintaining optimum production in livestock. The improvement of productivity in dairy animals, exposed to adverse environmental conditions, is primarily focused on improving the microclimate and nutritional management of the animals. The experiment was conducted on three groups of animals comprising six adult buffaloes in each group. Two groups were exposed to heat stress in the psychrometric chamber (40oC), the third group was kept under ambient conditions as control. One of the exposed groups was offered ascorbic acid (20g/day/animal). The blood samples were taken at every 4th day up to 16th day. Samples were analyzed for the total plasma protein and plasma albumin. Results showed that as the days of exposure progressed, the level of stress increased which is evident from the elevated level of total proteins. When compared with the ascorbic acid supplemented group (7.28±0.09 gm/dl), the non-supplemented group had higher protein content (7.93±0.13 gm/dl). There was significant difference (P 0.05) in protein levels among the groups. The level of albumin also followed the same pattern as that of total protein but in heat stressed (2.42±0.17gm/ dl) and ascorbic acid supplemented animals (2.41±0.19 gm/dl), the globulin levels declined as compared to group kept at ambient conditions (2.79±0.33 gm/dl). Further, the Albumin:Globulin ratio was significantly (P 0.05) higher in heat stressed animals (2.78±0.43) and ascorbic acid supplemented animals (2.19±0.30) as compared to control group (1.61±0.37). It can be concluded that ascorbic acid supplementation would be beneficial to buffalo producers of the arid/ semi-arid regions in amelioration of stress challenge imposed by the harsh weather.

The objective of this study was to evaluate cost-effective intervention for enhanced fertility in buffaloes, which could otherwise remain un-bred for variable long time. A total of 165 postpartum anestrus buffaloes were examined gynaeco-clinically at farmer's door. The animals identified with corpus luteum in either of the ovary, were treated with 500 £gg of Cloprostenol, single injection or double injection at 11 days interval (Gr. I). The remaining animals with smooth and inactive ovaries were randomly divided in three different groups. The group II animals were injected 100-150 mg progesterone for successive 5 days and single injection of 500 I.U. of PMSG on seventh day. The animals of group III were administered with 20 £gg of GnRH analogue and 7 days later, with 500 _Ýg of Cloprostenol. A second injection of 10 £gg GnRH analogue was given after 48 hrs of Cloprostenol injection. Group IV animals received 50 gm mineral mixture daily for 30 days along with 30 Nutrisacc boli (1 bolus b.i.d. for 15 days). The proportion of animals that exhibited estrus were 89.13, 86.84, 82.35 and 59.57% and the mean treatment-estrus intervals were 3.97¡Ó0.46, 4.38¡Ó0.49, 3.08¡Ó0.23 and 21.78¡Ó2.56 days in group I, II, III and IV, respectively. The animals detected in estrus were bred by natural service using fertile bulls and diagnosed for pregnancy per rectum 50 days post service. The first service conception rate was 46.34, 33.33, 53.57 and 28.57 % in-group I, II, III and IV, respectively, while the overall conception rate was significantly higher (78.57%) in GnRH-treated animals. The cost of treatment in different groups was Rs. 160 or 320, 220, 525 and 150, respectively. The results indicate that better fertility in postpartum anestrus buffaloes can be obtained by GnRH therapy though; the cost of intervention seems to be higher than other treatments.

The study was conducted to determine the role of Ca2+ and K+ channels in Moringa oleifera flowers extract-induced myometrial contractility of buffalo uterus. Myometrial strips were prepared, mounted in an organ bath containing Ringer Locke solution maintained at 37oC and responses recorded using a kymograph. Moringa oleifera flowers extract (MOFE) produced quite conspicuous and concentration-dependent contractile effect on buffalo myometrium and the EC50 value was found to be 31.62 ìg/ml. Verapamil (10-12M) not only completely inhibited normal spontaneous rhythmic contractions of myometrial uterine strips but also inhibited MOFE-induced spontaneous rhythmic contractions. Ethylene glycol tetra acetic acid (EGTA; 0.1-0.2mM) reduced both the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions and also produced around 28% reduction in the amplitude of MOFE-induced contractile effect. Similalrly, pinacidil (10-6M-10-5M), glibenclamide (10-5M) and 4- amino pyridine (4-AP; 1mM) pretreatments inhibited spontaneous contractions as well as the contractile effects of MOFE (250ìg/ml). Based on the results of present study, it may be inferred that both the extra- and intracellular Ca2+ are very vital for the oxytocic effect of MOFE. Functional presence of K+ ATP, K+ V and/or K+ Ca channels in buffalo myometrium and their involvement in mediating MOFEinduced contractility can not be ruled out. Moringa oleifera flowers possessed promising oxytocic activity and can be exploited in drug-development programme for evolving natural and effective oxytocic or abortifacient.

The buffalo calves became ataxic at 6.16±1.07 minute of acepromazine administration. There was good sedation. The animals stood up with ataxia at 131.5±17.80 minute and complete recovery took 211.83±6.94 minutes. Significant hypotension and tachycardia were observed after acepromazine administration. Midazolam caused ataxia at 3.33±0.76 minute and animals went into sternal recumbency at 34.0±15.85 minute. There was good muscle relaxation. Complete recovery took 183.5±10.92 minutes. Significant increase in respiratory rate was observed at the its peak effect. A significant reduction in mean arterial pressure (MAP) was also seen at 30 minute of midazolam administration. Diazepam produced ataxia within one minute and animals went into sternal recumbency. It produced quick onset of action and delayed recovery. A significant hypotension was observed at 5 minute of diazepam with decreased pulse pressure. No change was observed in electrocardiograph on administration of acepromazine and diazepam but slight increase in the amplitude of primary T-wave was observed after midazolam administration.